Iraqi Vice President Leaves for Syria, Lebanon

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Friday, April 05, 2002

Iraqi Vice President Leaves for Syria, Lebanon

Iraqi Vice President Taha Yassin Ramadan on Thursday left for Syrian and Lebanon to enhance relations with the two Arab countries.

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Iraqi Vice President Taha Yassin Ramadan on Thursday left for Syrian and Lebanon to enhance relations with the two Arab countries.

Before departure, Ramadan told the official Iraqi News Agency (INA) that he will discuss with the presidents of the two " brotherly countries" the current situation in the Palestinian territories as well as issues of common concern.

Ramadan said he will also discuss with Lebanese officials the possibility of boosting bilateral cooperation and signing a free trade agreement.

Iraq has so far sealed free trade agreements with Egypt, Syria, Tunisia, Yemen, the United Arab Emirates, Algeria and Sudan with the aim of eventually cancelling import or export tariffs among Arab countries and setting up a common Arab market.

Ramadan's visit came amid the latest Israeli military offensive against the Palestinians, in which Israel has taken a number of Palestinian towns and besieged Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat's headquarters. The fresh Israeli aggression has triggered strong reactions from the Arab world.

Iraq on Tuesday presented the Arab League with a five-point demand which included suspending oil supply to the United States, allowing Arabs to provide weapons as well as a volunteer army to support the Palestinian struggle.

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